Geraldton wax

Chamelaucium uncinatum

Slender Western Australian native shrub with fine needle-like aromatic leaves and clusters of waxy pink, white, or purple five-petalled flowers in winter and spring. The major Australian cut-flower export crop.

Hardiness ratings

Geraldton wax hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 9–10 −6.7 °C to 4.4 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H3 −5 °C to 1 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 9 −1 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 4–5 0 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Endemic to coastal Western Australia — adapted to sandy soils and dry Mediterranean climate
  • Major commercial cut-flower export — long vase life, the flagship Australian native cut flower
  • Demanding cultivation — sharp drainage essential, sulks in heavy or humid summer soils, succeeds in coastal southern and Mediterranean climates
  • WARNING: Phosphorus sensitive — never feed phosphate fertilisers

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Geraldton wax against your zones

Reference

Geraldton wax on Wikipedia